Seeking God's Presence: The Heart of Our Faith

 

Summary

The story of Exodus 33 and 34 invites us to consider what it truly means to dwell in the presence of God. From the earliest days, God’s people longed to live in close relationship with Him, as expressed in the Psalms: “One thing I ask…that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” In Exodus, the tabernacle was to be the place where God’s presence would reside among His people. Yet, after the devastating sin of the golden calf, God’s anger burned, and He threatened to withdraw His presence, even as He promised to fulfill His covenant and lead the Israelites to the Promised Land.

This moment reveals a profound truth: God’s presence is not a given, and our sin creates a chasm between us and Him. The Israelites’ idolatry was not just a failure of obedience, but a failure to trust and honor God’s holiness. Even so, Moses interceded, pleading with God not to send them forward without His presence. Moses understood that no amount of success, prosperity, or even the fulfillment of God’s promises could replace the value of God Himself. “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” The distinguishing mark of God’s people is not their achievements, but the reality of God’s presence among them.

God, in His mercy, relented and renewed His covenant, revealing His character: compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. These attributes are not just theological concepts, but the very foundation of our hope. God’s grace is not a license to live as we please; His commands and prohibitions are for our flourishing. To dwell with God is to trust His promises and honor His boundaries.

The story ends with Moses’ face shining from being in God’s presence—a visible sign that God’s glory transforms those who seek Him. This is the invitation for us: to be a people marked by God’s presence, desperate for Him above all else, willing to say, “God, if you don’t go with me, I don’t want to go.” Our hope is not in our own righteousness, but in the mercy of God, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, who made a new covenant with His body and blood so that we might dwell with God forever.

Key Takeaways

- The Presence of God Is Our Greatest Need
No amount of success, provision, or even the fulfillment of God’s promises can substitute for His presence. Moses’ refusal to move forward without God is a reminder that the distinguishing mark of God’s people is not what they accomplish, but whether God is truly with them. Our lives should be oriented around seeking and valuing God’s presence above all else. [17:23]

- Righteous Anger Can Lead to Deeper Relationship
Moses’ passionate intercession, even in anger, demonstrates that honest, heartfelt engagement with God can draw us closer to Him. Anger, when expressed righteously and lovingly, can clarify values, reveal boundaries, and create the urgency necessary for forgiveness and reconciliation. God invites us to bring our whole selves—including our strong emotions—into relationship with Him. [15:00]

- God’s Character Is the Foundation of Our Hope
When God reveals Himself as compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, He is declaring the unchanging foundation upon which we can trust Him. Our ability to dwell in His presence is not based on our performance, but on His steadfast character. Even after great failure, God’s mercy and faithfulness remain the anchor for His people. [23:44]

- God’s Commands Are for Our Flourishing
The prohibitions and boundaries God gives are not arbitrary or restrictive, but are meant for our good. Idolatry and compromise with the world’s values always threaten to separate us from God’s presence. To truly dwell with God, we must honor His commands, recognizing that His ways lead to life and distinguish us as His people. [26:24]

- Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment
The paradox of God’s dealings with Israel is that the very sin that should have brought destruction instead becomes the occasion for God’s mercy. God does not treat us as our sins deserve, but extends compassion and forgiveness, ultimately fulfilled in Christ. This mercy is the only hope for any of us to dwell in God’s presence and be transformed by His glory. [31:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:53] - The Vision of Dwelling with God
[03:51] - The Obstacle of Sin and Idolatry
[05:05] - The Golden Calf and God’s Anger
[06:22] - God’s Troubling Offer: Blessing Without Presence
[09:12] - The Devastation of God’s Absence
[12:35] - Joshua’s Preparation and the Power of Prayer
[13:49] - Moses’ Honest Intercession
[15:00] - Righteous Anger and Deeper Relationship
[17:23] - The Centrality of God’s Presence
[18:42] - Presence and Rest: Communion and Disturbance
[20:30] - What Distinguishes God’s People
[22:18] - Moses’ Plea to See God’s Glory
[23:44] - God’s Character and the Renewal of Covenant
[26:24] - Honoring God’s Prohibitions
[27:49] - The Ongoing Temptation of Idolatry
[29:04] - The Radiant Face: Marked by God’s Presence
[30:40] - The Paradox of Sin and Mercy
[31:44] - Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment
[32:40] - Prayer and Invitation to Communion
[35:14] - The Lord’s Prayer and Closing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Dwell in the Presence of God
*(Based on Exodus 33–34 and supporting passages)*

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### Bible Reading

Exodus 33:12–23; 34:1–10, 29–35 (ESV)
*(Key story: Moses pleads for God’s presence after Israel’s sin, God reveals His character, and Moses’ face shines)*

Psalm 27:4 (ESV)
“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”

Psalm 103:8–10 (ESV)
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.”

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### Observation Questions

1. In Exodus 33, what does God threaten to do after the golden calf incident, and how do the people respond?
[[06:22]]

2. What is Moses’ main request to God in Exodus 33:15, and why is it significant?
[[17:23]]

3. When God reveals His character to Moses in Exodus 34:6, what qualities does He list about Himself?
[[23:44]]

4. What visible sign shows that Moses has been in God’s presence when he comes down from the mountain?
[[29:04]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Moses refuse to move forward without God’s presence, even though God promises success and blessing? What does this reveal about what Moses values most?
[[17:23]]

2. The sermon says, “God’s presence is not a given, and our sin creates a chasm between us and Him.” How does the story of the golden calf illustrate this truth?
[[07:20]]

3. When God describes Himself as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,” why is this so important for Israel after their failure?
[[23:44]]

4. The sermon mentions that God’s commands and boundaries are for our flourishing, not just restriction. How does this perspective change the way we view God’s rules?
[[26:24]]

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### Application Questions

1. Moses says, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to move forward without seeking God’s presence first? What would it look like to pause and invite God in before taking your next step?
[[17:23]]

2. The Israelites’ idolatry was described as a failure to trust and honor God’s holiness. Are there “golden calves” in your life—things you turn to for comfort, security, or identity instead of God? What would it look like to surrender those this week?
[[07:20]]

3. The sermon talks about bringing our honest emotions, even anger, to God. Is there a situation where you need to have a real, heartfelt conversation with God or someone else, instead of bottling up your feelings? What’s holding you back?
[[15:00]]

4. God’s character is the foundation of our hope, not our performance. When you fail or fall short, do you tend to hide from God or run to Him? How can you remind yourself of His compassion and faithfulness in those moments?
[[23:44]]

5. God’s commands are for our good and flourishing. Is there a specific command or boundary from God that you find hard to accept or obey? How might trusting God’s heart for you help you see it differently?
[[26:24]]

6. Moses’ face shone after being in God’s presence. What are some practical ways you can seek God’s presence this week—through prayer, worship, Scripture, or community? How might this change the way others see you?
[[29:04]]

7. The sermon ends by pointing to Jesus, who made a new covenant so we can dwell with God forever. How does knowing Jesus has secured God’s presence for you change the way you approach God today?
[[32:40]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray, asking God to make His presence real in their lives, to help them trust His character, and to give them courage to honor His boundaries for their good.

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